I strolled along the La Jolla coastline the other day (mostly on Coast Blvd.) I discovered really cool breathtaking views, caves, cliffs, the La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool, the back of the La Valencia Hotel, beach goers, sea lions and seals, cormorants, and even some beautiful flowers!

Here’s a short video which captured some of the sights!

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A Quick Visit: San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center Loop Trail

I had some free time and took advantage of a wonderful mini-escape to nature!

Here’s a short video to recap my time strolling throughout the mile long, double loop, ADA accessible San Elijo Nature Center Loop Trail (Located off of Interstate #5 a bit West on Manchester Blvd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California). There are several benches along the route to sit back, reflect and ‘take it all in’.

There’s a bit of restoration and dredging (thus, disruption of the bird habitats) happening these days, complete with large cranes, so I didn’t spot as many species as usual.

Feel free to read more about the San Elijo Nature Center plus, some info about the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

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An Afternoon at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

My husband and I enjoyed a delightful afternoon enjoying the benefits of my Keepers Club Pass at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California. The advantages: I can always bring a guest, I can enjoy the free parking (usually $15), and there are new exhibits every once in awhile to take in and experience. (Oh, we also walked about 10,000 steps too)!

Here’s a short video recap of our day! Hope you enjoy it!

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Over the San Diego Bay and the Glorious Bridge: A Visit to Coronado

I enjoyed a quick overnight visit to Coronado, California…Check out these photos and see why this island touched my heart!

Feel free to click on each photo by SJF Communications!

The Charming Glorietta Bay Inn

Glorietta Bay Inn – Photo by SJF Communications

The Famous Coronado Beach and Hotel Del Coronado

Photo by SJF Communications

Photo by SJF Communications

A Beautiful Great Blue Heron Enjoying Glorietta Bay

Photo by SJF Communications

Overlooking the San Diego Skyline from the Coronado Ferry Landing Including Coronado Bridge

Photo by SJF Communications

Colorful Places, Flowers and Things

Photo by SJF Communications

Birds Galore! Osprey, Northern Rough-Winged Sparrow, Rock Pigeons, Cormorant, Black Turnstone, California & Western Gulls

Photo by SJF Communications

The Glorietta Bay Marina Area

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Bird Watching & Photography at Lake Hodges, Escondido, CA

A great morning hike and “Birding with a Camera” at Lake Hodges, Bernardo Bay Staging Area, at the San Dieguito River Park Trail

with

Senior Ranger Dave Hekel and Krisztina Sheeff, KS Nature Photography.

Here’s a short video to recap the morning…

Disclaimer: I am still learning….Birds (and butterflies) were moving QUICKLY and I am quite new at using the Manual settings on my camera! So…my shots aren’t the most focused…

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Art in Nature on a Sunday…

It was a beautiful Sunday and as usual I had my camera with me!

Snapped some photos at Liberty Station as well as on Manzanita Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch (Carmel Valley), San Diego. Feel free to click on each photo for more detail…

This was my view of downtown San Diego looking south from Liberty Station

Looking South from Liberty Station Photo by SJF Communications

Loved this Coral Tree at Liberty Station!

Coral Tree – Photo by SJF Communications

I was captivated watching these great blue herons at Liberty Station!

Great Blue Heron – Photo by SJF Communications

Great Blue Herons – Photo by SJF Communications

Great Blue Heron – Photo by SJF Communications

Saw (and definitely HEARD) several airplanes taking off above Liberty Station

At Liberty Station – Photo by SJF Communications

And again witnessed the lantana’s #artinnature and #natureasart (Liberty Station)

Lantanas – Photo by SJF Communications

Loved the color combination here!

Kanaka Canoe Landing – Photo by SJF Communications

Then ventured out for a walk on the Manzanita Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch

Manzanita Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch – Carmel Valley – San Diego Photo by SJF Communications

A beautiful white-crowned sparrow (Manzanita Trail, Carmel Valley, San Diego) !

White-Crowned Sparrow Photo by SJF Communications

Saw (and heard) this lovely Song Sparrow (Manzanita Trail, Carmel Valley, San Diego) !

Song Sparrow Photo by SJF Communications

Blue Lupine Perennials (Manzanita Trail Carmel Valley San Diego)!

Blue Lupine Perennials (Manzanita Trail Carmel Valley San Diego)! Photo by SJF Communications

A Black Phoebe – (Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego)

Black Phoebe – Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego Photo by SJF Communications

Finally, an Allen’s Hummingbird (Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego)!

Allen’s Hummingbird (Manzanita Trail – Carmel Valley, San Diego)! Photo by SJF Communications

All in all, a wonderful day!

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National Poetry Writing Month Day #3 ‘Thriving’ – Haiku & Photos

In honor of National Poetry Writing Month (#napowrimo) I have mastered the first few days in previous blog posts and am attempting to keep it going (with and without prompts)!

As I have stated previously, I’ve been a Mentor at San Diego State University in their Aztec Mentor Program since 2016. Mentoring has been an inspirational and enjoyable way to connect with and guide students as a role model, share wisdom and give back to one’s community.

Today, I arrived early and was waiting for my first of two mentees to join me for our biweekly in-person session.

Alas: a Haiku blossomed!

Once I returned home for the day, I walked around our general neighborhood and snapped some photos (which to me depict #artinnature #natureasart). The photos are attached below!

As the season of Spring has sprung and as nature evolves – my burgeoning Mentees have been flourishing as well! May they thrive and prosper! Thus…my tribute to them!

Haiku: ‘Thriving’

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

1. First a bit timid

Some were not sure of themselves

UNLOCK THIS PUZZLE!

2. Meetings in person

Twice a month and face to face

WE TACKLED ISSUES

3. College term (or two)

Seeing growth and confidence

REVIEWED PLANS, COURSES

4. Held their heads up high

Enriched, mature, and ready

GRADUATING SOON!

5. LinkedIn and Job Fairs

Aced interviews, networked

THESE…ARE MY MENTEES!

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Butterflies on Parade – Haiku & Photos: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

I have been delighted with some great perks and benefits with my Keepers Club Membership at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

We visited a great new exhibit, “Butterfly Jungle” at the Safari Park in Escondido, California the other day…

Please note: The Butterfly Jungle is only open now through April 15th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

A few words to the wise! Be prepared to wait! This is a very popular exhibit! (For an extra fee of $20 you can move up in line).

Once you’re inside, they will allow you to marvel at and photograph these lovely colorful butterflies.

What a hoot! The butterflies love bright colors, so feel free to wear them! They will gladly land on you! You’ll chuckle with delight!

It’s a blast!

Here’s my #Haiku to kick off National Poetry Writing Month (#NaPoWriMo) and Global Poetry Writing Month (#glopowrimo):

Haiku: Sweet Butterflies

SJF Communications

Fickle flutterers

Quick, vividly colorful

Dainty butterflies

They might land on you

If so, they invite your grin

Butterflies marvel!

Oh…another important note (per the ambassadors): No touching the butterflies or taking them out of the area with you!

These sweet creatures are endangered, so there will be several ‘exit stations’ where the Safari Park Ambassadors will have you “turn around’ and ‘shake it out’ to ensure that no butterflies are resting on your clothes, backpacks, hats, etc!

It’s all worth it though! Although there was an elusive few that flew so quickly that by the time I had my camera ready they were gone!

I am looking forward to going again soon! Hurry, the exhibit closes on April 15th!

Check out these photos and feel free to click on each one for more detail!

Paper Kite – Photo by SJF Communications

Postman – Photo by SJF Communications

Rusty-Tipped Page – Photo by SJF Communications

Giant Owl – Photo by SJF Communications

Giant Owls – Photo by SJF Communications

Flowers that invite butterflies to visit! – Photo by SJF Communications

More flowers that invite butterflies to visit! – Photo by SJF Communications

Click here for info about the:

San Diego Safari Park

San Diego Zoo

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Nature Trail Photos at the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

A Relaxing Past Time

I spent a delightful afternoon wandering about by bird watching and enjoying nature’s foliage, views and more at the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy – a Southern California nonprofit land trust which is part of the nearly 1000-acre San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, bordered by the northern San Diego areas of Solana Beach, Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe.

I began my solo stroll at the ‘green’ San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center (2710 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007). The volunteers and rangers were very helpful with information. I gave a donation and visited the interactive exhibits. The Nature Center sells limited items such as maps, books, snacks/drinks etc.

I embarked on my journey by following the beautiful trail. Here are some photos from the day!

Nature Center and Trail

Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.

I visited during low tide and was able to see a variety of shore birds at the mud flats. The trail is quite easy to navigate (it also includes ADA accessible boardwalk). There are natural-looking overlooks and benches for those who’d like a rest, or just sit and observe!

Bird Watching!

Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.

Bufflehead

American Wigeon

White-Crowned Sparrow

Mallards

Snowy Egret

Yellow Common Throat

The Mallards!

More Bird Watching!

Enjoying the Surroundings!

Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.

I also enjoyed admiring the foliage and surroundings. Here’s a peek at what I saw that day…Spring has sprung indeed!

Arroyo Willow

Climbing Milkweed

Sea Dahlia

Pine Cone

Torrey PInes

Such a wonderful day!

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Video: A Bird Watching Visit to Santee Lakes (San Diego, California)

My husband and I recently thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon at Santee Lakes. We walked around several of the lakes for fitness and I did some incredible bird watching!

Here’s a short video:

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A Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Video, Photos and a Haiku!

We had a lovely day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park !

Here’s a video snippet…Enjoy!

(Feel free to make the video larger – click on the lower right corner)!

Some Images of the Day!

Haiku

Safari Park Treasures

By Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

1. Animals galore

Nature as art images

Magnificent views

2. This safari park

One more gem, San Diego!

In Escondido!

3. Creatures large and small

I could watch for days!

Until the next time!

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Photos and Fun Exploring Julian, California!

Apple pie, apple cider, photos

…and lots of cool shops and restaurants!

We’re sold on JULIAN!

During the Thanksgiving Holiday, we had an enjoyable mountain getaway day trip to Julian, California. (We usually travel the less than an hour road trip from San Diego each year).

Julian is a picturesque, historic gold-mining town that exudes lots of charm!

This time, my daughter Emmy and her best friend Sydney were my traveling, shopping and dining buddies and also helped with photography.

Our day started with a delicious lunch at the Julian Grille.

Afterwards we checked out the shops, enjoyed the apple pie at Mom’s Pies (oh yes, and the apple cider) and ventured to take in the autumn foliage, colorful leaves and beautiful scenery.

Of course, many photos were snapped that day and we want to share them with you! Overall a delightful day in Julian!

Hope you enjoy these photos of our spectacular crisply colorful autumn day! Click on individual photos to see more details!

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People!

Emmy (in the hat) and Sydney – Exploring Julian!

Photos by SJF Communications

Places to Shop!

Some of the shops that we noticed: The Birdwatcher, Julian Mountain Emporium, Kathy’s Dress Shop, Quilts & More, Hog Heaven, Julian Imports, Julian Book House, Julian Cider Mill, Julian Cafe & Bakery, Julian Trading Company, Julian Imports, Antique Boutique, JAG Art Gallery, the T-Haus, & the Cuyamaca Clay Company.

Photos by SJF Communications

Places to Nosh!

The Julian Grille, Romano’s Restaurant, Buffalo Bills, Blue Door Winery, Apple Alley Bakery, and Julian Cafe & Bakery, among others! Yum!

Photos by SJF Communications

Photos by SJF Communicationsotos by SJF Communications

Photos by SJF Communications

More Cool Images!

Let’s allow these photos to speak for themselves!

Photos by SJF Communications

Julian, CA; Photos by SJF Communications 2018

Photos by SJF Communications

PhotoPhotos by SJF Communicationss by SJF Communications

Photos by SJF Communications

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A Quick Visit to the San Diego Zoo

It’s great to enjoy an annual pass at the San Diego Zoo! It’s a quick getaway…since we live in San Diego!

Plus, there’s abundant sunshine, a fun way to walk my steps for fitness, and of course, getting to visit the wonderful animals and appreciate nature at the same time!

This past week, I visited the Hummingbird Aviary House, as well as the Gorilla, Orangutan and Reptile Exhibits (and loved photographing the beautiful hibiscus flowers)!

Hope you all enjoy these snapshots! Go ahead…click on each photo to see it enlarged!

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The Hummingbirds & Other Birds